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Wiz bulbs, plug'n'play
To the group, For some unknown reason I cannot write in the model number of my dual-band Orbi mesh router with 2 satellites. It is an RBK43S-100NAS. I am trrying to connect a number of Wiz sm...
Dear FURRYe38,
Again, thank you for your explicit instruction for trying to help me get my Wiz smart bulbs connected via my Orbi mesh router.
My request was back in March. I never could make the connection, so just used the lights as dumb bulbs. The reason for failure was that I could not keep my Pixel XL phone communicating with the Orbi at 2.4Ghz long enough to complete the set-up. Last Sunday, I made another attempt to set up 8 Wiz bulbs. This time, I added one more step to your instructions: in the Netgear Advanced Wireless Settings 5Ghz section I unchecked "Enable SSID Broadcast" as instructed; in addition, I unchecked "Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings". Disabling this second setting seemed to keep my Pixel phone in the 2.4Ghz band long enough to make the set-up.
It took a few tries, but I finally got all 8 bulbs registered and properly grouped. Everything is working properly now. As a bonus, my two little grand daughters danced to the changing colored lights in the "Party" mode.
BTW, the caution buriedf somewhere in the Wiz instructions that the bulbs might not work in metal fixtures, still makes no sense to me. BR30 bulbs are meant to be installed in recessed light fixtures. We all know these recessed cans are made of metal.
Again thank you.
Netgear provides a simple mechanism to accomplish this:
Log into the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net)
Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
Uncheck the box, "Broadcast SSID on 5G"
Click "Apply"
All devices that are currently connected to the Orbi will remain connected.
On the smartphone, go to wireless settings and "forget" the Orbi SSID
Search for available WiFi networks. Select the Orbi WiFi. Enter the password. and connect.
If you are curious about whether the smartphone is actually connected at 2.4G, you have to wait a few minutes, because the "Attached Devices" display takes a while to update.
Open the app and set up the 2.4G device.
Once the device is connected and working as it should, reverse the steps.
Check the "Broadcast" box and click "Apply"
"Forget" the Orbi WiFi. Search. Enter password. Connect.
Be aware that there seems to be a time limit with some iOS or Android devices that will connect to the 2.4Ghz radio for a short period of time before changing automatically to the 5Ghz SSID, even though it's been hidden. The SSID is hidden only, thus the signal is still present. So you might want to also change the power output of the 5Ghz radio to 25%. Then connect your mobile device at a distance from the RBR to ensure the mobile phone keeps connected to the 2.4Ghz radio. After you get the IoT device connected, re-configure the system back to where it was.
Dear FURRYe38,
Again, thank you for your explicit instruction for trying to help me get my Wiz smart bulbs connected via my Orbi mesh router.
My request was back in March. I never could make the connection, so just used the lights as dumb bulbs. The reason for failure was that I could not keep my Pixel XL phone communicating with the Orbi at 2.4Ghz long enough to complete the set-up. Last Sunday, I made another attempt to set up 8 Wiz bulbs. This time, I added one more step to your instructions: in the Netgear Advanced Wireless Settings 5Ghz section I unchecked "Enable SSID Broadcast" as instructed; in addition, I unchecked "Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings". Disabling this second setting seemed to keep my Pixel phone in the 2.4Ghz band long enough to make the set-up.
It took a few tries, but I finally got all 8 bulbs registered and properly grouped. Everything is working properly now. As a bonus, my two little grand daughters danced to the changing colored lights in the "Party" mode.
BTW, the caution buriedf somewhere in the Wiz instructions that the bulbs might not work in metal fixtures, still makes no sense to me. BR30 bulbs are meant to be installed in recessed light fixtures. We all know these recessed cans are made of metal.
Again thank you.
Glad you got em working.
Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves tine if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. :smileywink: